System for automatic selection of profile based on location

ABSTRACT

Systems for automatically selecting a user&#39;s profile based on location include a device adapted to being tracked by location and a database that includes a user&#39;s preferences for routing calls. The user&#39;s calls are routed to the user based on the user&#39;s call routing preferences and the location of the device. Other systems and methods are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/239,566, filed Sep. 22, 2011. U.S.patent Ser. No. 13/239,566 is a continuation of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/415,410, filed Mar. 31, 2009, whichissued Oct. 4, 2011, as U.S. Pat. No. 8,032,143. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/415,410 is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/610,967, filed Dec. 14, 2006, whichissued May 12, 2009, as U.S. Pat. No. 7,532,884. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/610,967 is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/206,684, filed Jul. 26, 2002, whichissued Jan. 9, 2007, as U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,237. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/239,566 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/415,410 is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 8,032,143 is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/610,967 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S.Pat. No. 7,532,884 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/206,684 is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,237 is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Communications services have evolved such that users can utilizemultiple communications devices to receive telephone calls. Forinstance, a user can receive telephone calls via a wireline telephone, awireless telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), an internetprotocol (IP) device, a pager, a personal computer, a laptop computer,and a watch, among others. In addition, a user can receive calls toseveral communications devices at the same time. For example, a userlocated at work can be using the office telephone transacting business,and simultaneously receive a call on his wireless telephone and pager.In this situation, the user's choices include, ignoring certain devices,allowing an answering service, such as voice mail, to answer certaincalls, or putting selected devices on hold while answering others.

Another challenge of this environment involves call directing andscreening. For instance, a user may wish to receive calls at onelocation from certain individuals, and not receive those calls evenduring the same time period, when the user is in a different location.By way of example, an employee who is willing to receive calls from hisboss during working hours while at work, may be unwilling to answerthose calls, even if during working hours, if the employee leaves workand goes home for the day.

Thus, a heretofore-unaddressed need exists for a solution that addressesthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide systems andmethods for an automatic selection of profile based on location.

Briefly described, in architecture, one preferred embodiment of thesystem, among others, can be implemented as follows. A system for anautomatic selection of profile based on location comprises a deviceadapted such that the device's location is tracked, and a databasehaving user preferences for routing calls based on the location of thedevice.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can also be viewed asproviding methods for automatically selecting profiles based onlocation. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others,can be broadly summarized by the following steps: determining thelocation of a wireless device; obtaining a user's preferences in adatabase; and routing a telephone call to the user based on the user'spreferences and the location of the wireless device.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, and be within the scopeof the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference tothe following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of anenvironment in which a system for automatic selection of profile basedon location may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of anapplication server for implementing a system for an automatic selectionof profile based on location.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a preferred embodiment forimplementing a system for automatic selection of profile based onlocation.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative example of a table depicting a preferredembodiment of a work persona included in a customer profile.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative example of a table depicting a preferredembodiment of a family persona included in a customer profile.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting functionality of a preferred embodimentof an implementation of a system for automatic selection of profilebased on location.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow charts depicting functionality of a preferredembodiment of a system for automatic selection of profile based onlocation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for an automatic selection ofprofile based on location. To facilitate description of the inventivesystem, an example system that can be used to implement the systems andmethods for an automatic selection of profile based on location isdiscussed with reference to the figures. Although this system isdescribed in detail, it will be appreciated that this system is providedfor purposes of illustration only and that various modifications arefeasible without departing from the inventive concept. After the examplesystem has been described, an example of the operation of the systemwill be provided to explain the manner in which the system can be usedto provide an automatic selection of profile based on location.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numeralsindicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is ablock diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of an environment 100 inwhich a system for automatic selection of profile based on location maybe implemented. The preferred embodiment of the environment 100 includesa communications service provider network 102 and a wireless device 104wirelessly coupled to the communications service provider network 102.The communications service provider network 102 may be any type ofcommunication network employing any network topology, transmissionmedium, or network protocol. For example, such a network may be anypublic or private packet-switched or other data network, including theInternet, circuit-switched network, such as the public switchedtelecommunications network (PSTN), wireless network, or any otherdesired communications infrastructure and/or combination ofinfrastructures. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless device 104includes but is not limited to, a wireless telephone, an internetprotocol (IP) device, a laptop computer, a pager, a personal dataassistant (PDA) or a watch, among others. In a preferred embodiment, thewireless device 104 includes a built in receiver and transmitter fortracking the location of the wireless device 104.

A location of the wireless device 104 can be determined by the elementsin environment 100 shown in FIG. 1. Positioning/location processors 108,such as servers, provide the processing capabilities for storing thelocation information received from the wireless devices 104 that arecoupled to the network. In one embodiment, the positioning/locationservers 108 include functionality for determining the location of thewireless device 104. This functionality can be a plurality of technologyand methods for position determination, including for example a globalpositioning system (GPS), among others. A presence processor 110, suchas a server, couples to the communications service provider network 102.The presence server 110 provides information, such as presence andavailability data for a subscriber of the automatic selection of profilebased on location system. A source of the presence and availability datais from the customer profile database 112. In one preferred embodiment,a user establishes priorities in the database on how to route calls tohim or her. Examples of options that can be set by the user includerouting calls based on caller, i.e., family member or work associate,time of day, or proximity of location tracking device 104 relative to abase location, among others. In a preferred embodiment, the customerprofile database 112 includes customer defined preferences, alsoreferred to as personas, for how to process certain telephone callsbased on the location of the customer's wireless device 104. Anapplication processor 114, such as a server couples to thecommunications service provider network 102 and includes logic thatprovides for automatic selection of profile based on location.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of theapplication server 114 for implementing a system for an automaticselection of profile based on location. As shown in FIG. 2, automaticselection of profile based on location logic 202 can be implemented insoftware (e.g., programming stored on a medium, firmware, etc.),hardware, or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiments, thelogic 202 is implemented in software as an executable program, and isexecuted by a special or general purpose digital computer, such as apersonal computer (PC; IBM-compatible, Apple-compatible, or otherwise),workstation, minicomputer, or mainframe computer.

Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, as shown in FIG. 2, theapplication processor 114 includes, inter alia, a processing device 204and memory 206. Input and/or output (I/O) devices 208 (or peripherals)can be communicatively coupled to a local interface 210. The localinterface 210 can be, for example but not limited to, one or more busesor other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. Thelocal interface 210 may have additional elements, which are omitted forsimplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters,and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the local interface210 may include address, control, and/or data connections to enableappropriate communications among the aforementioned components.

The processing device 204 is preferably a hardware device for executingsoftware, particularly that stored in memory 206. The processing device204 can preferably be any custom made or commercially availableprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor amongseveral processors, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form ofa microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, or generally any device forexecuting software instructions.

The memory 206 can include any one or combination of volatile memoryelements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM,etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape,CDROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory 206 may incorporate electronic,magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that thememory 206 can have a distributed architecture, where various componentsare situated remote from one another, but can be accessed by theprocessing device 204.

The software and/or firmware in memory 206 may include one or moreseparate programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions. In theexample of FIG. 2, the software in the memory 206 includes logic 202 anda suitable operating system (O/S) 212. The operating system 212essentially controls the execution of other computer programs, such aslogic 202, and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and datamanagement, memory management, and communication control and relatedservices.

The logic 202 is preferably a source program, executable program (objectcode), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions tobe performed. When the logic 202 is implemented as a source program,then the program needs to be translated via a compiler, assembler,interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within thememory 206, so as to operate properly in connection with the O/S 212.Furthermore, logic 202 can be written as (a) an object orientedprogramming language, which has classes of data and methods, or (b) aprocedure programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/orfunctions, for example but not limited to, C, C++, Pascal, Basic,Fortran, Cobol, Perl, Java, and Ada.

The I/O devices 208 may preferably include input devices, for examplebut not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, etc.Furthermore, the I/O devices 208 may also include output devices, forexample but not limited to, a printer, display, etc. Finally, the I/Odevices 208 may further include devices that communicate both inputs andoutputs, for instance but not limited to, a modulator/demodulator(modem; for accessing another device, system, or network), a radiofrequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, arouter, etc.

When the logic 202 is implemented in software, as is shown in FIG. 2, itshould be noted that the logic 202 can preferably be stored on anycomputer-readable medium for use by or in connection with any computerrelated system or method. The logic 202 can be embodied in anycomputer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch theinstructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or deviceand execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a“computer-readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate,propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with theinstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Thecomputer-readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. Morespecific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable mediumwould include the following: an electrical connection (electronic)having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), arandom access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM)(electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM,or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and aportable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that thecomputer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable mediumupon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronicallycaptured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or othermedium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitablemanner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. Ifimplemented in hardware, as in an alternative embodiment, the logic 202can be implemented with any or a combination of the followingtechnologies, which are all well known in the art: a discrete logiccircuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon datasignals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) havingappropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s)(PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of a systemfor implementing a system for automatic selection of profile based onlocation. The system includes a GPS location/positioning system 302 anda wireless network 308 that are configured to communicate with thecommunications service provider network 102. The GPSlocation/positioning system 302 includes a GPS satellite 306, tower 310(only one shown for simplicity with base stations also omitted forsimplicity) and the positioning/location server 108. The wirelessnetwork 308 includes the wireless device 104 adapted to receive signalsfrom tower 312 (only one shown for simplicity with additional basestation and connections to PSTN 320 also omitted for simplicity) thatsupport wireless telephone calls. Preferably, the wireless device 104 isfurther adapted to receive signals from the GPS location/positioningsystem 302. In one preferred embodiment, a position (or location) of thewireless device 104 is tracked utilizing the GPS location/positioningsystem 302. In another preferred embodiment, the position of thewireless device 104 is tracked utilizing the wireless network 308, aloneor in combination with the GPS location/positioning system 302. Thewireless device 104 is configured to transmit its location to tower 310or 312, that then transmits the location of the wireless device 104 tothe positioning/location server 108. In another preferred embodiment,multiple wireless devices 104 may be included in the system. In yetanother preferred embodiment, wireless device 104 embodies a locationdetermining device that may be a wired device, or any other processingdevice capable of having its position tracked.

In a preferred embodiment, the communications service provider network102 includes but is not limited to, the application server 114 havinglogic, such as logic 202, presence server 110, customer profile database112, a service control point (SCP) 381 and a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) 320. In other embodiments, all shown elements areprovided as part of the PSTN 320. The application server 114 is coupledto the presence server 110. In one preferred embodiment thecommunications service provider network 102 provides Internet 314access. In another preferred embodiment, the communications serviceprovider network 102 has Internet access incorporated within thecommunications service provider network 102. Providing Internet accessallows users to add, change or modify their preferences in the customerprofile database 112 from any location by using for instance, a personalcomputer 316. In another embodiment, a user changes his or herpreferences in the customer profile database 112 using the wirelessdevice 104 or wireline device 322, 324, among others, to dial into theapplication server 114.

In a preferred embodiment, the application server 114 retrieves locationinformation on the wireless device 104 from the positioning/locationserver 108, and working in cooperation with the presence server 110. Thepresence server 110 includes information about the availability of thewireless device 104. In one embodiment, the availability informationincludes data such as whether the wireless device 104 is logged intoapplication server 114. The presence server 110 also accesses thecustomer profile database 112 to obtain preference information, alsoknown as personas, established by the user of the wireless device 104.In a preferred embodiment, the presence server 110 and the customerprofile database 112 are separate elements and/or functions. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the functions of the presence server 110 and thecustomer profile database 112 are combined into a single system.

The PSTN 320 provides communications connectivity for connectingtelephones 322, 324 to each other and the Internet 314. Typically, atelephone 322, 324 connects to a nearby central office (CO) 326, 328that includes equipment, facilities and personnel for routing calls fromthe telephone 322, 324 to the PSTN 320. In a preferred embodiment, thePSTN 320 is configured to implement an advanced intelligent network(AIN) that provides capabilities such as announcements, text-to-speech,and voice recognition. When configured as an AIN, the PSTN 320 caninterrupt the normal call processing, and switch calls under the controlof the SCP 318 to an address as determined by the user's preferences inthe customer profile database 112 and the location of the wirelessdevice 104. A call handled in this manner is then routed, as establishedby the user, to the designated device that can include the wirelessdevice 104, personal computer 316, a specific voice mail account (notshown) or a wireline telephone 322, 344.

In one embodiment, the presence server 110 working in cooperation withthe positioning/location server 108 includes previously stored proximitythreshold information for the wireless device 104. For example, user canidentify a base location, such that distances from the base location aretracked and can trigger changes in call routing based on user'spreferences and the position of the wireless device 104 from the baselocation. For example, the user can designate a work location as thebase location and thus, the wireless device 104 will be tracked basedupon a distance from the user's work location. The positioning/locationserver 108 tracks the location of the wireless device 104. The baselocation identified by the application server 114 working in cooperationwith the presence server 110, obtains the user's preferences and a callto the user is routed based on the caller identification information ofthe caller, the user's preferences, and position of the wireless device104, etc.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative example of a table 400 depicting a preferredembodiment of a work persona included in a customer profile 112. In theexample shown in FIG. 4, the customer profile 112 is for user MarySmith. In a preferred embodiment, the table 400 includes, but is notlimited to, hours 402, locations 404, preferences for call routing 406,and destination addresses 408. The hours selected by Mary Smith include8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. The inventionis not limited to these time entries, and any desired time periods canbe selected. The hours selected by Mary Smith coincide with her typicalwork day, i.e., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., after work hours, i.e., 5 p.m. to 10p.m., and sleeping and rising hours, i.e., 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

During the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mary Smith is typically at work.However, Mary Smith may not always be available to receive telephonecalls on her work telephone. For example, Mary Smith can be in heroffice, in her office but away from her desk, away from the office, suchas, at lunch or in a meeting, or at home, for instance, if she leavesearly due to illness. Mary Smith has established preferences for routingcalls based on the locations listed in the table 400. In this case, MarySmith has selected her work location as the base location. The automaticselection based on profile system tracks the location of Mary Smith'swireless device 104 is proximity to her work location.

Mary Smith has established the following preferences for her workpersona. If Mary Smith is in her office during work hours, she wishescalls from her boss to be routed to her work telephone. If Mary Smith isin her office but away from her desk during work hours, calls from herboss are routed to her work voice mail. If Mary Smith is away from theoffice during work hours, but not at home, calls from her boss arerouted to her wireless device. In a preferred embodiment, the wirelessdevice performs as the location determining device in one implementationof the system for automatic selection of location. If Mary Smith is athome during work hours, calls from her boss are routed to her work voicemail. After work hours but before Mary Smith retires for the evening,i.e., between 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., calls from her boss will be routed toher home telephone. From 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., calls from Mary Smith's bosswill be routed to her work voice mail. All calls are routed using thedestination address 408 for that particular device.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative example of a table 500 depicting a preferredembodiment of a family persona included in a customer profile 112. Inone preferred embodiment, the system for automatic selection of locationdetermines which persona to utilize, (i.e., work persona versus familypersona) based upon alone or in combination, the user's base location,the position of the user's location tracking device 104, prioritiesestablished in the application server 114 and time of day. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the persona is selected based upon who is callingthe user, i.e., boss in FIG. 4 versus family member in FIG. 5.

In a preferred embodiment, the table 500 includes, but is not limitedto, hours 502, locations 504, preferences for call routing 506 anddestination addresses 508. The hours selected by Mary Smith include 8a.m. to 5 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. The inventionis not limited to these time entries, and any desired time periods canbe selected. The hours selected by Mary Smith coincide with her typicalwork day, i.e., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., after work hours, i.e., 5 p.m. to 10p.m., and sleeping and rising hours, i.e., 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. In thiscase, Mary Smith has selected her home location as the base location.The automatic selection based on profile system tracks the location ofMary Smith's wireless device 104 is proximity to her home location.

During the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mary Smith is typically at work.Mary Smith has established preferences for routing calls based on herhome as the base location. If Mary Smith is in her office during workhours, she wishes calls from her family to be routed to her worktelephone. If Mary Smith is in her office but away from her desk duringwork hours, calls from her family are routed to her wireless device. Ina preferred embodiment, the wireless device performs as the locationdetermining device in one implementation of the system for automaticselection of location. If Mary Smith is away from the office during workhours, calls from her family are routed to her wireless device. If MarySmith is at home during work hours, calls from her family are routed toher home telephone. After work hours, but before Mary Smith retires forthe evening, i.e., between 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., if she is at home, callsfrom her family are routed to her home telephone. From 10 p.m. to 8a.m., if Mary Smith is at home, calls from her family are routed to herwireless device. All calls are routed using the destination addresses508 for that particular device.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart 600 depicting general functionality (or method)of a preferred embodiment of an implementation of a system for automaticselection of profile based on location. The process begins at 602. At604 a call attempt is made to a called party. For instance, Mary Smith'sboss attempts to call her. At 606, the called party's preferences areobtained. In a preferred embodiment, the normal call routing for a callis interrupted and calling preferences are obtained. The presence serverdetermines the availability of the called party based upon the calledparty's wireless device being logged into the application server and thecalled party's presence and availability defined by her active persona.The customer profile for the called party is obtained and returned tothe application server.

At 608, the location of the called party is determined. The GPSlocation/positioning system is utilized to determine the location of thecalled party. The location of the wireless device is stored in theposition/location server. Based on the location of the wireless device,the called party's preferences will be automatically selected based onthe location of the wireless device. The location information along withthe called party's preferences now residing in the application serverwill be utilized to determine how to route the call. At 610, the call isautomatically routed to the called party based on the location of thewireless device and the called party's call routing preferences thatwere automatically selected from the customer's profile based on thelocation of the wireless device. The process ends at 612.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow charts depicting more specific functionality(or methods) of a preferred embodiment of an implementation of a systemfor automatic selection of profile based on location. Referring to FIG.7A, the functionality (or method) may be construed as beginning at 702.At 704, a call attempt is made to a user who has subscribed to theautomatic selection of profile based on location system. At 706, thenormal call routing procedure is interrupted. In a preferred embodiment,the call attempt has routed from the calling party through the PSTN thatis configured to implement an AIN that works in cooperation with the SCPto switch the call to an external IP or other address.

At 708, a determination is made as to whether or not the user's wirelessdevice is available. In a preferred embodiment, this determination isperformed by accessing a presence server. Upon logging into theautomatic selection of profile based on location system, the user'swireless device's becomes available, and the wireless device's status iscaptured in the presence server. If the user's wireless device is notavailable, at 710, a default process routes the call as dialed. At 714,the interrupted call is routed to an SCP. The SCP is operative to switchthe calls to an IP address identified in the user's customer profile.

Referring to FIG. 7B, at 716, the customer profile database is accessed.At 718, the user's preferences are obtained. In a preferred embodiment,the application server communicates with the presence server that isoperatively coupled to the customer profile database, to obtain apersona that includes user preferences. The user's location isdetermined at 720. In a preferred embodiment, a GPS location/positioningsystem is utilized to obtain the location of the wireless device. Inanother preferred embodiment, the location of the user's wireless deviceis stored in a positioning/location server.

At 722, the call is routed based on the current location of the wirelessdevice (and thus, the user) and preferences in the customer profiledatabase. In a preferred embodiment, the application server is equippedwith the user's preferences based on the particular time and location,including the user's base location. This information is communicated tothe SCP, which interrupts normal call processing, and routes the call tothe proper destination based on the user's preferences and the locationof the wireless device. The process ends at 724.

Any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understoodas representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include oneor more executable instructions for implementing specific logicalfunctions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations areincluded within the scope of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention in which functions may be executed out of order from thatshown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverseorder, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understoodby those reasonably skilled in the art of the present invention.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the presentinvention and protected by the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and memorycoupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructionsthat when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuateoperations comprising: determining a distance between a location of adevice and a designated location; selecting, based on the determineddistance, a persona associated with the device, the persona comprisingcommunications routing preferences based on a location of the device;determining a destination address based upon the location of the deviceand the communications routing preferences of the persona; and routing acommunication to the determined destination address.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, the operations further comprising tracking the location of thedevice.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, the operations further comprisingtracking a distance of the device from the base location.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, the operations further comprising: comparing thedetermined distance to a the proximity threshold; and routing thecommunication to the destination address in accordance with a result ofthe comparing.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, the operations furthercomprising routing the communication based on presence data pertainingto an availability of the device.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinpreferences further comprise at least one of a time period, a predefinedlocation of the device, or a destination address for the communication.7. A method comprising: determining, by a processor, a distance betweena location of a device and a designated location; selecting, by theprocessor, based on the determined distance, a persona associated withthe device, the persona comprising communications routing preferencesbased on a location of the device; determining, by the processor, adestination address based upon the location of the device and thecommunications routing preferences of the persona; and routing acommunication to the determined destination address.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising tracking the location of the device.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, the operations further comprising tracking a distanceof the device from the base location.
 10. The method of claim 7, theoperations further comprising: comparing the determined distance to athe proximity threshold; and routing the communication to thedestination address in accordance with a result of the comparison. 11.The method of claim 7, the operations further comprising routing thecommunication based on presence data pertaining to an availability ofthe device.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein preferences furthercomprise at least one of a time period, a predefined location of thedevice, or a destination address for the communication.
 13. An apparatuscomprising: a processor; and memory coupled to the processor, the memorycomprising executable instructions that when executed by the processorcause the processor to effectuate operations comprising: facilitating adetermination of a distance between a location of the apparatus and adesignated base location; subsequent to the facilitating, receiving acommunication based on a persona selected from a plurality of personasassociated with the apparatus, wherein each persona of the plurality ofpersonas comprises a communications routing preference based on alocation of the apparatus.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, the operationsfurther comprising facilitating tracking the location of the apparatus.15. The apparatus of claim 13, the operations further comprisingfacilitating tracking the distance of the apparatus from the baselocation.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the communication isprovided to the apparatus based on a result of a comparison between thedetermined distance and a proximity threshold.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the communication is provided to the apparatus basedon presence data pertaining to an availability of the apparatus.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein preferences further comprise at least oneof a time period, a predefined location of the device, or a destinationaddress for the communication.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe apparatus comprises a wireless communication device.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the base location comprises one of a worklocation or a home location.